Shared Word Translation
1 Thessalonians 3
Timothy Sent to Strengthen the Church
Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind in Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith,
so that no one might be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this. For even when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and you know.
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us good news of your faith and love and that you always remember us kindly, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted concerning you through your faith.
For now we live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see your face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
Prayer for Growth
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,
so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.